2022 in 22 records

This is about as straightforward as I might ever get with this newsletter. A lot of amazing music came out this year, and I wanted to be sure as many people as I can reach, know about it.

Please consider checking out my physical zine, Terror Management. You can purchase it here.

I’ve also taken the liberty of putting a playlist together with songs from these records (and other releases of 2022). Please find it here – Apple Music // Spotify

So, without further ado and in absolutely no particular order (other than the order in which these releases came to mind), please find my 22 favorite records of the year past.

Amenra/Cave In/Marissa Nadler - Songs of Townes van Zandt Vol. III

Talented musicians giving amazing songs, written by one of the best to do it, their own spin. Particularly the Cave In version of Nothin’ resonates.

Brutus - Unison Life

Shifting through different heavy styles, but throughout manages to conjure strong feelings of yearning and rage, in no small part thanks to the dynamic and haunting vocals.

Birds In Row - Gris Klein

Was lucky enough to see these fellows live twice this year. What a band, what an energy, also in recorded form. Post-hardcore screamo in optima forma. At times funky enough to dance to.

Mindforce - New Lords

Strong thrash hardcore crossover to cleave people’s skulls with big swords to.

Zola Jesus - Arkhon

Enchanting, at times strange synth pop that can pull one in seductively only to rattle one around through the medium of industrial beats.

Teethgrinder - Dystopia

A real ripper of a record, especially if you like your grindcore LP’s longer than 15 minutes and with some death metal and hardcore influences.

Terzij de Horde - In One of These, I Am Your Enemy

30 minutes of black metal, stretched over 3 songs. Beautiful, heavy, melodic and melancholy.

Gospel - The Loser

I love a challenging album, something that doesn’t seem to accommodate the listener. This interesting blend of screamo, prog rock and space wave is an acquired taste, but once you get into it, it’s all-encompassing.

Cave In - Heavy Pendulum

An interesting mix of prog, sludge, punk, grunge – indeed, whatever you want to hear in this record, you’ll be able to suss out. For me, that means it’s a unique mix of styles that form into something more than the sum of its parts.

Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems

The most urgent and most punk record of the entire year. It starts off hard and confrontational and goes upwards from there. It’s also funny and vulnerable in spots. An amazing achievement.

Drug Church - Hygiene

Who knew grunge punk could be so good? The band definitely still has its fun, but perhaps has sharpened its bite a bit.

Cult of Luna - The Long Road North

Doom metal with a vision. This entire, quite dynamic, record feels like a great journey – hence the name, I suppose. A rewarding trip that’s worth taking.

Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor

The near-perfection of an idea that started years ago. The mixture of black metal and spirituals/blues doesn’t feel like a novelty, but like it was always meant to be.

Tuskar - Matriarch

Lovely driving, sludgy doom metal. Atmospheric where needed, uptempo and driving where it counts.

Speed - Gang Called Speed

Hardcore that’ll make you mosh in your living room. Reminiscent of the best of Trapped Under Ice.

Myteri - Illusion

Sweeping melodic crust punk that will take you on an emotional journey. A whirlwind that’s a delight to get swept up into.

Skroetbalg - Alles Kats Kapot

Technically came out in ’21, but I’m counting it for ’22 since the LP came out this year. The most fun one could have with punk rock ’n’ roll all year. Catch ‘em live for an even better time.

Anxious - Little Green House

The best emo record of the year. The band wears its influences on its sleeve, but executes on the ideas so well it elevates the genre.

Throwing Bricks - The Burden

A band in the pursuit of ‘heavy’ in all its forms. A melange of doom, sludge, hardcore, black metal and more, but eloquently mixed into a beautiful whole.

Wowod & Somn - Split

Long and epic, doom metal to dip headfirst in and get carried away by the current. Hold your breath, it’s worth the ride.

Burner - A Vision of the End

Hard and fast, finding a spot somewhere between grindcore, hardcore and death metal, this EP is 18 minutes of rage.

Drowningman - Later Day Saints

Picking up where the band left off over 15 years ago, this EP is pure unhinged post-hardcore madness – and evokes the question ‘when do we get more?’